Whether tripping over the cat or jamming your foot against a door, many of us have experienced the excruciating pain of a broken toe. Because you can't put a cast on a broken toe like you can a broken arm or leg, taping the toe is usually the best treatment.

Instructions

Do you have a broken toe? The only real way to ascertain whether the bone is broken is to have it x-rayed. However, whether the x-ray shows a break or not, the treatment is still the same. If getting an x-ray gives you peace of mind, go for it! However, whether broken or sprained, the next step is taping. Taping a broken toe to the adjacent toe helps give you added stability as well as keeping the broken toe immobile.

Before taping, apply ice to the broken toe to help bring down swelling. It's better to put ice in a plastic bag or a thin towel rather than applying it directly to the skin.

To begin the process, place a little bit of padding between the broken and adjacent toes. You don't want to put a large quantity of padding, otherwise your broken toe will heal in a splayed out manner instead of straight. Padding is used to keep the skin between the two toes from developing sores or blisters.

Next, buddy tape the broken toe to the adjacent toe. Don't apply the tape so tight that you cut off circulation. If your toes begin to turn purple, the tape is too tight!

Keep your foot elevated as much as possible. This will help relieve swelling. Avoid strenuous activities or a lot of walking in order to take pressure off of the toe.

Tip

Wear shoes that protect your broken toe. It will only increase your pain if you wear open-toe shoes or sandals and someone steps on your foot. Ouch!

Tip

If you see a bone poking through the skin, do not attempt to treat yourself. Get to a doctor so the bone can be put back in place. If pain is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medication, contact your doctor.

About the Author

Nancy Hendrickson is the author of five books and more than 1,000 magazine and web articles. Her credits include articles for Laptop, Family Tree Magazine, History, I.D., eBay, Tech Edge, Mobile Computing, Personal Journaling, and Today's Collector. She is a graduate of Missouri Western University, and a member of Western Writers of America.